Who are you, in a few lines?

I am an entrepreneur since over 20 years mainly the promoter of the Consultancy firm DEMAIN (1996), the founder of the Institut Supérieur de Technologies (2000), one of the largest higher education institution in Burkina Faso.

I am a member of the Bureau of the Burkina’ Employers National Council in charge of education, training and employment; representing the Council at the national and international level on education, employment and vocational training issues. I am a PhD holder from the American University of Leaders in London, UK, an associate professor for British universities. I am MSc in Applied Physics holder from Joseph KI ZERBO University in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. I am awarded in industrial engineering with a Productics option from the Ecole Mohammadia d’Ingénieurs in Rabat in the Kingdom of Morocco. I am a senior lecturer in several universities and has led numerous seminars and conferences on the themes of industrial engineering, energy efficiency, employment, vocational training, entrepreneurship, innovation, digital, marketing, strategy. and Islamic finance in Burkina Faso and abroad

A perfect day starts with? And ends with?

Breakfast with my family at 6:30 AM and ends with a gym at 7:00 PM before a good bath

Could you tell us how you started writing?

I was always interested in writing. I love authors a lot. I didn’t have enough for writing. Now I am 50 so I think it is the right moment to share my experience. In addition, I am an associate professor, so it is important to publish some papers and books for career purposes.

What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

I am influenced by several authors from my country, in our subregion, and across the world. I can Nazi Boni, Amadou Hampaté Ba, Wole Soyinka, Emile Zola Umar Chapra…

Your latest book is "Marketing and Strategy for Islamic Finance Industry in West Africa: Case Study Burkina - Faso". What is the key theme and/or message in the book?

It is almost my first book.

Recurrent financial crises, exacerbation of inequalities between nations and between rich and poor, climate change are leading us to question the international financial system and the current economic model as a whole. Worried and disoriented, People and even the Pope are calling to another World that will take into account moral, ethical and environmental issues in its development. Islamic Finance weighs less than 1% of the world's total asset and less than 3% in Africa. Islamic Finance is a nascent industry in West Africa and in Burkina Faso.

What influence did Islam have on West Africa?

Muslim are 50% of the total population of that subregion and predominant in a lot of countries like Senegal, Mali, Niger and Burkin Faso

What is the Islamic finance system?

Islamic Economy is the branch of knowledge which helps to realize human well-being through an allocation and distribution of scarce resources that is in conformity with Islamic teachings without unduly curbing individual freedom or creating continued macroeconomic and ecological imbalances.“ Umar Chapra

Islamic economy is neither Socialist nor Capitalist, a third way, and ideal with none of the drawbacks of the two others systems, promoting wealth on the world and hereafter, reducing the gap between the rich and the poor.

It is ethical, moral foundations derived from the Shari’ah, collection of Zakah and other related taxes, and prohibition of riba charged on Loan.

Three major principles of the Islamic finance system are (Hasan-uz-Zaman, 1997):

´   Prohibition of interest, the riba‘, the interest is replaced by a sharing of profits and losses (Profit and Loss Sharing principle, PLS),

´  The ban of garhar, of maysir, of uncertainty and of chance, which gives rise to speculation.

´  The prohibition of financing of activities regarded as illegal, haram, by Islamic law, such as games of chance (no casinos), prostitution, the production of weapons or alcohol, swine (porc) industries...

Why did Islam have such an impact on much of Africa?

Islam is old in west Africa. A large part of the population of the sub-region is followers. They want to live according to the principle of the faith. The colonization tried to change things but we need to recognize that it is a failure. A new interest of faith emerging sometimes with violence due to the frustration and the lack of development 

How was the publishing experience like? Describe Generis Publishing in a few words.

It was an amazing experience. Sometimes I think it is a dream as it was really easy. I am preparing a french of my book and more topics regarding Islamic finance but not only

Any last words for your readers?

Many thanks to Generis publishing and to the entire team. See you.